Bartók on the Stage

It is a rare occasion that two anniversaries and the oeuvre of two artists coincide. This is what happened in the case of Béla Bartók and Gusztáv Oláh, giving a special timeliness to the present fine documentary volume. Gusztáv Oláh, leading director of the Hungarian State Opera Theatre, adapted all the theatrical works of Bartók. Our volume narrates the events starting from 1917, the premiere of Bartók’s first theatrical work, until 1956, the year when Gusztáv Oláh passed away. The plays staged were the following: The Wooden Prince, Bluebeard’s Castle, The Miraculous Mandarin and a posterior theatre adaptation: Bálványosvár.

The main purpose of our book for the double anniversary is to present Oláh’s adaptations of Bartók’s theatrical plays, his visual interpretations and concepts as a director. But we also feature the artists working with him to draw a complete picture of the Budapest Opera Theatre performances. The book illustrated with more than a hundred pictures is a useful lecture for music lovers, opera fans and those interested in theatre and dance.